A $100 million Palaszczuk Government program which is set to revolutionise Queensland’s recycling, resource recovery and biofutures industries is now open.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick visited Cleanaway’s Hemmant facility to release the funding guidelines for the Resource Recovery Industry Development Program - a $100 million fund to remove waste from landfill.
"In the recent State Budget, $100 million was made available over three years to develop a high-value resource recovery and recycling industry," he said.
"We are now calling for interested parties to come forward with their project proposals to help change the face of the resource recovery industry in Queensland.
"As our government looks to build a sustainable economy, initiatives like this not only support the development of new industries, they support Queensland investment and jobs.
"Our aim is to make Queensland a world leader in projects involving resource recovery, recycling and the re-manufacturing of materials to turn waste to energy.
"Economically, we know such projects have the potential to generate new jobs for our communities and build confidence for business to invest in Queensland, and we know encouraging investment and innovation in the waste industry will also deliver long-term benefits environmentally.
"This program is another demonstration of the Palaszczuk Government supporting investment in Queensland through reducing waste going to landfill, and another leap forward in our journey towards a zero-waste future."
Mr Dick said the program offers three streams capturing projects which vary in scale and the level of support they require.
Stream one is a rounds-based capital grants stream with dollar-for-dollar grants available up to $5 million to provide funding for infrastructure projects and capital investments in new processing and technological capabilities.
Stream two is a broad incentives stream to attract or expand major resource recovery operations to deliver significant landfill diversion and resource recovery outcomes.
Stream three involves funding towards capital-intensive, long lifecycle projects which require support for investigations to assist with final investment decisions for Queensland.
Mr Dick said the program will support a range of projects with significant employment and supply chain opportunities.
"These projects will also create new products from waste, growing industry and reducing the impact on our environment," he said.
"This funding will be available to support local governments and existing businesses and will attract new major projects to Queensland.
"Applications are also welcome from consortia: businesses or local governments working together on plans to deliver integrated projects."
Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said this program was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s long-term vision to attract investment, develop new industries and grow jobs.
"We have a real opportunity to improve waste management practices in Queensland," she said.
"Research indicates that for every 10,000 tonnes of waste that goes to landfill, less than three jobs are supported. But if that same waste was recycled, more than nine jobs would be supported.
"That is why our Government is moving towards a comprehensive waste management strategy, underpinned by a waste disposal levy. Last week we introduced legislation into Queensland Parliament and we are now one step closer to stopping interstate waste being dumped here in our state and encouraging more investment in industry.
"The waste levy will give industry the confidence it needs to invest in alternative and innovative recycling technologies to grow the sector and create jobs."
Rick Ralph, CEO of the Waste Recycling Industry Queensland welcomed the announcement of EOIs opening for the Resource Recovery Industry Development Program and said the industry has projects already identified and ready to go.
"This funding announcement is critical to those investment decisions proceeding," he said.
"It now provides Queensland industry the opportunity to develop and create new jobs by driving economic growth that in turn will reshape the state as Australia’s leading secondary resources and recycling capital."
Waste Management Association of Australia CEO Gayle Sloan applauded action from the Queensland Government to tackle waste.
"Recycling companies are highly innovative, and these funding streams will improve their ability to improve resource recovery outcomes," she said.
Funding through streams two and three is now available through application. Expressions of interest for stream one will remain open until Friday, October 5.
It is anticipated that the first projects will be funded within the first half of 2019.
Information is available to interested parties at: http://dsdmip.qld.gov.au/resourcerecovery
